Traditional Worship Contemporary Worship-The Net Multicultural Worship Sundays, 8:30 am & 11:00 am - Sanctuary Sundays, 11:00 am - Wolfe Fellowship Hall Sunday, 9:00 am - St. John’s Campus

Volume. 50 No. 25 September 2017

SEPT 13Providence On Wednesday and Children’s Choirs Resume Rehearsal

SEPT 15An Evening of Music with Organ and Strings

SEPT 15Pirates of Penzance Sing-A Long at St. John’s Campus

SEPT 17Church-wide Celebration of The Net’s Third Birthday

SEPT 21Providence on Wednesdays

SEPT 21Music Literacy Workshop

SEPT 24Starting Point

OCT 3UMW Program

Dear Providence Family,I’m not certain that I’ve ever been more convinced of the fact that we live in a broken culture full of division, anger, lack of cooperation, injustice and hatred. And every day it seems there is another issue that potentially causes us to live in fear and insecurity.One day the act might be another missile or bomb test by North Korea, more riots like in Charlottesville, a suicide bomber attack in Europe or the Middle East or more evidence of genocide in distant parts of the world.Most recently, the reality of the destructive forces of nature in and through storms, earthquakes, fires and deadly accidents, have added to our reasons for despair. For example, in the past weeks we have watched helplessly as catastrophic hurricanes have taken lives, homes and livelihoods in two major areas of our country and the Caribbean Islands. Added to that, there was the tragic loss of four lives in a helicopter crash making its way to Duke University Medical Center to save lives.Even in the season of Lent, Sundays are seen in the Church as little Easters, bringing worship, celebration and hope; I must say that wasn’t what I was feeling this past weekend.Though I sought to preach with passion on Sunday, September 10, my heart was troubled because I knew of the destruction and anguish others were experiencing in Florida. Meanwhile, we were experiencing the joy of worshiping together in peace and safety at Providence UMC. At times like this, I have people ask: “Pastor, in such a world, where do you see hope?” I admit it is difficult not to be tricked into experiencing complete despair and hopelessness.It is at those moments that we must not let the world define our reality; for the truth is that the Church, the Bride of Christ Himself, is the Hope of the World.This is when we are called as individuals and as a Church community to come together through worship, prayer and work to bring peace and healing. We must make time to provide both physical and spiritual food to those who are in need, and offer the love of Christ to all we come in contact with each day.We, as Christians, are filled with hope for others and our own lives. We have been created, loved, saved, and redeemed by the very God who is above all, before the beginning and after the end – the God who gave even Himself so that we might know reconciliation with Him and one another. It is our God who entrusts us to represent Him in a broken world.

Blessings and love, Dave Melton

A Message from the Desk of Pastor Dave Melton

Changing Lives - St. John’s Health Fair

In Christian Sympathy

The Weekday School opened its doors for the 2017-2018 school year on Tuesday, September 5 and the halls were quickly filled with hesitant children and happy parents. In only a few short days, the number of tears have dwindled and the sounds of laughter have begun. We are pleased to have over 120 families enrolled in the Weekday School this year and are thankful for all of the support provided by Providence UMC. Serving God’s children through love and education is such a privilege. If you are ever interested in seeing the Weekday School in action, please stop by for a visit. Just ring the door-bell and we will be happy to show you all of the wonderful things happening here!

SaturdayAugust 26, 2017

Fin Giving 2018

Weddings

Fin September MissionCMC MAIN in Concord:Jean Utter

CMC MAIN: Richard Boner

To Jack Featherston, on the death of his brother, Joe who died on Sunday, September 10.

To Winifred McKellar and family on the death of her husband, Robert McKellar who died on September 7.

To Torie Lackey and family, on the death of her mother, Annie Marie Kelley who died September 4 in Boston, MA.

To Charles and Jeff Osborne on the death of their mother, Nova Osborne who died on August 30.

To the family of Matt Cox on the death of his father, Jimmy Cox who died on August 14.

To Debby Reger and family on the death of her father, Eugene Goss who died on July 30 in Sherwood, Arkansas.

With joy we announce the marriage of Charlotte Broome to Kevin Leonard on Saturday, September 9.

Together we have witnessed a church community committing to one another and committing to God’s call with confidence and courage. Now we have an opportunity and responsibility to give a gift to God, through Providence Gives 2018, to continue our work in our Church home, our city and beyond. Pledge cards are available at the Welcome Desk, in the Sanctuary pews and in The Net. Giving Calculator Tables are available at the Welcome Desk and online. Thank you for prayerfully considering your estimated gift for 2018.

Congregational Care

We are SO blessed by the generosity of Providence UMC members who gave in response to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. On Sunday, September 3, we collected $6,482.00 for relief support. THANK YOU!

Through the month of September, the Church will assist with disaster relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. You may also visit the WNCC Website for information.

How Can We Help?

1. PRAYERS: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46 (KJV);

2. PROVIDE A FLOOD BUCKET: A list of flood bucket supplies is available at the Welcome Desk and on the UMCOR website. Providence UMC has been designated as a “Drop Off Location,” for flood buckets in Charlotte! Parishioners may leave their buckets in the atrium; 2. DONATE: Checks may be made payable to Providence UMC with Hurricane Harvey Relief noted in the MEMO line. You may also donate online through MY PROVIDENCE. Please select UMCOR in the drop down menu.

Music MinistryProvidence UMC Weekday SchoolMUSIC LITERACY

WORKSHOP

Have you ever wanted to join a choir but feel you don’t read music well enough or even at all? This fall we will offer a series of workshops on music literacy designed to give anyone the tools to read music and join a choir with confidence!

These thirty-minute sessions will take place immediately before Chancel Choir rehearsal. The series begins Thursday, September 21, from 6:45 pm -7:15 pm, in room D021 and will run for six weeks. For more information, please contact Lisette Helveston by email at lhelveston@ProvidenceUMC.org or call the Music Office at 704.714.9362.

Providence On Wednesday (POW)

Wednesday, September 20/5:30 pm - 6:30 pm/Wolfe Hall Enjoy an evening to gather with your Providence UMC family for food and fellowship each Wednesday night. The cost is $7.50 per adult and $4.00 per child (10 and younger), with a maximum of $25.00 per family. Child-friendly food options are available. Reservations are due Monday by noon, the week of POW. There are three ways to make a reservation: call the reservation line at 704.714.9380, sign up at the POW table in the atrium or visit our website. Please let us know if you would like a standing reservation. Wednesday’s Menu:

Garden Salad - Chicken Divan - Fresh Fruit MedleyRolls -Strawberry Cake

Mark Your Calendar

UMW Annual Pecan Sale It’s that time of year! Order your Pecans by filling out a form available at the Welcome Desk. Return it with payment, to the Welcome Desk by Sunday, October 22. Proceeds from the sale benefits the Uptown Soup Kitchen.

Church Family Retreat at TekoaOctober 6 - October 8 / Camp TekoaDon’t miss our Third Annual Church Family Weekend! Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Camp Tekoa is the place for spiritual renewal, fellowship, touching hearts and sharing the Light of Christ! Come and enjoy canoes, paddle boats, zip-lines, hiking, smores by the campfire and much more. Register online today or contact Cannon Hunt at chunt@providenceUMC.org.

An Evening of Music with Organ and Strings

Dongho Lee Nicholas Kitchen Yeesun Kim

Friday, September 15/7:30 pm/SanctuaryJoin us for the first concert in the 2017-18 season of the David Bashor Memorial Organ Concert Series. Providence UMC Artist-in-Residence, Dongho Lee, will be joined by Nicholas Kitchen (violin) and Yeesun Kim (cello) - two members of the renowned Borromeo String Quartet - in a program of music for organ and strings featuring music by Saint-Saëns, Bruch, Vitali, and Rheinberger. Admission is free; all are welcome.

That evening we will also celebrate the release of Dongho’s newest commercial CD, which was recorded at Providence UMC this past summer. If you are interested in purchasing a CD at another time, please contact the Music Office at

UMW PROGRAM and Lunch

Tuesday, October 3/10:30 am - 11:30 am/Chapel Join us to hear Marilyn Garner, President and CEO of UMAR, and staff members. They will discuss their support services and new art program. We will also welcome our newly formed circle number 8, made up of our UMAR ladies. Lunch follows the meeting and reservations should be made by noon on Friday, September 29, by calling 704.714.9382 or registering on our website.

St. John’s Brings Opera to the Community Friday, September 15/7:00 pm/St. John’s Campus Little Opera Company of Charlotte presents a Pirates of Penzance, a Sing-Along. A rollicking band of pirates clash with bumbling policemen and a bevy of beautiful maidens in this opera. This is an opportunity to enjoy opera with the family.

Bring your best pirate costumes and voices and sing along in this traditional “Gilbert and Sullivan” singing event. The audience is the chorus! Admission is free for all ages. Birthday Bash and BBQ

REGISTER NOW TO CELEBRATE THE NET’S THIRD BIRTHDAY

Sunday, September 17/12:30 pm - 2:00 pm/Wolfe HallProvidence UMC is proud to celebrate the 3rd Birthday of The Net service. This event will include rejoicing in the Lord, food and fellowship. All may enjoy cotton candy, a gourmet BBQ lunch, a photo booth and a short program. The cost is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 per child. Register now for this church-wide celebration on our website or by contacting ChrisLitiker at clitiker@providenceUMC.org.

Monday Morning Women’s Bible StudyMonday, September 18/9:30 am - 11:30 am /ChapelJoin other women to study Beth Moore’s book A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place. In this is study, women will be challenged to prepare their heart, like the holy of holies, to become a home for His love and glory — a dwelling place for the Most High God. For more information about the study or on how to order the book, please contact Carol Tait at 864.415.1720 or at caroltait@bellsouth.net.

Providence On Wednesday (POW)Wednesday, September 27/5:30 pm - 6:30 pm/Wolfe Hall Please refer to September 20 in left column for details.

MENUGarden Salad - Homemade Lasagna

Texas Toast - Chocolate Fluff

Starting Point

Sunday, September 24/12:15 pm - 12:45 pm/BreezewayJoin us for refreshments in the Church Parlor Breezeway and hear from Pastors and Directors about their ministry areas. This is also a great way for both new and prospective members to see how they might get connected in the life of the Church!

Encore Choir PerformanceThursday, September 28 /10:00 am/Brookdale Carriage Club Retirement Community Our Encore Choir will present “Faith of our Fathers” a patriotic musical at the Brookdale Carriage Club, 5800 Old Providence Road. All are welcome to join the residents there for the wonderful presentation by this great group of singers.

A Haiti & Missions Attic Sale 2017

A Note of Thanks

A Letter From Missions Co-Chair, Elaine FosterAll I can say is “WOW!” As I think back on our 2017 Haiti & Mission Attic Sale, my heart is full of thanksgiving. God has blessed us, used us and filled Providence UMC with His Holy Spirit. Let me share with you the impact of the sale from quotes from a few of our Day of Sale shoppers:

“Your church members were so happy and friendly and helpful. You act like you are happy to have us and happy to help us. Other places just look at shoppers and chat with each other. You actually focus on your shoppers.”

“I’m going to come visit your church! Everyone working here has such a loving spirit.”

“I came from Raleigh for this sale. I go to a large Presbyterian church and there is no way we could pull this off!”

“I’m from Haiti, and I want to say THANK YOU. Every time I go back, I cry! This gives me a little hope!”

“YOU are SO organized, helpful and friendly. I LOVE this sale!”

“You move people along faster than Walmart!”

“I want to join YOUR church, we don’t do anything like this at mine!”

“Our family has never had a sofa. My wife saw your pictures online and said, “that is the one I want! I just bought it for our family at a price we can afford. Now we can sit together like other families.“

“I bought a crib today so my new baby doesn’t have to sleep in a suitcase.”

“I can’t BELIEVE this whole thing. I just can’t believe this! I had heard about it, but you have to see it to really understand how incredible it really is!”

“Looks like you could use some help showing off your men’s ware! This $100 tuxedo just isn’t going to sell back in this rack. May I suggest you hang it in front and mark it down?” (This fella ended up offering to help next year in the Boutique and left his phone number and address! I love it!!!)

A buyer in the Boutique paying for a 25 cent item with a $5 bill. “Keep the change, it all goes to God!”

So, how did we do? “ Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you more responsibilities.” Let’s celebrate.... Matthew 25:21.

The Haiti & Missions Attic Sale was a HUGE sale and a HUGE success again this year! From the Big Sort, to the Big Move, donations, item pick up, organizing, pricing, sorting, advertising, communication, day of sale and news coverage. Numerous Providence UMC volunteers gave their time to come together touching lives and making a difference in our community and Haiti.

Because of each of you, an enormous impact has been made in multiple ways:

• Providing Charlotte and surrounding communities an opportunity to purchase high quality items at a low price; • Opening our Church doors to the community and sharingGod’s love; • Raising money for Haiti and local missions - $46,650.40 collected to date;• Giving our unsold, remaining items to the SalvationArmy, continuing to provide opportunities to the community at large.

We should all be amazed at what can be accomplished when we at Providence UMC work together serving God. Together we are Loving God -Worshipping Boldly-Changing Lives.

With a grateful heart, Brian Mateer